Emergency medicine pharmacy

Abstract

Emergency medicine pharmacy is in its relative infancy. It is unlike any other area of current clinical practice and encompasses a wide variety of diseases, age groups, and patient populations. Patient care in the ED is provided in a fast-paced environment, often by new physicians and nurses, without the benefit of the numerous safety checks that may exist on a more-conventional service. Therefore, the impact of an emergency medicine pharmacy specialist on patient safety could be substantial. New practitioners interested in practicing in this setting should possess an outgoing personality, embrace the speed of flow in the ED, be assertive at identifying potential areas of pharmacy involvement, have solid pharmacy practice skills and knowledge, and have the managerial and leadership qualities necessary to drive the changes needed to provide a safe and optimal level of patient care in the ED.